Misuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance have become a serious threat to global health. This study aimed to assess knowledge, beliefs and habits of university students regarding antibiotics and compare answers between students coming from rural and urban areas in a location where no similar studies have been conducted to date. Data was gathered using an online survey and tested for statistically significant difference using Chi-squared test. The study followed the Helsinki Declaration principles. A total of 360 students participated. A large number (84.4%) has correctly identified antibiotics as effective against bacteria and have distinguished well between antibiotics and other types of medicines. Only 12.5% believe therapy can be interrupted when the symptoms fade, but 31.4% believe antibiotics help with most diseases. As much as 59.7% have bought antibiotics without a prescription, and 45.8% have admitted to premature treatment interruption. Many take antibiotics on travels for emergencies (62.5%). There was no statistically significant difference related to the domicile of the students (p>0.05). In conclusion, students demonstrated relatively acceptable knowledge and beliefs on antibiotics, which are not reflected in practice. The domicile of students does not influence their knowledge nor habits. Campaigns are needed to promote awareness on antimicrobial resistance as students’ habits are not satisfactory.

Proper usage of antibiotics is an often-overlooked subject, leading to a high level of ignorance among youth towards this important topic. The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge, beliefs, and habits of students at Nis University regarding the usage of antibiotics and discover whether an anticipated difference existed between knowledge and habits of biomedical students and that of non-biomedical students. The data were acquired through an online questionnaire that addressed knowledge, beliefs, and habits regarding antibiotics. The study adhered to the principles of the Helsinki declaration. Data were separated into two groups and tested for statistical significance using the Chi-squared test. The questionnaire showed that the majority of students (76.86%) were able to correctly identify bacteria as the main target of antibiotics. More students from non-biomedical faculties thought viral infections could be treated with antibiotics (37.35% vs. 7.06% of medical, p<0.05), and identified incorrectly Paracetamol as an antibiotic (42.17% vs. 8.15% of medical, p<0.05). However, a similar percentage in both groups (49.14%) claimed they interrupted their regimen before the prescribed time, and as much as 67.39% of biomedical students acquired antibiotics with no prescription. Biomedical students demonstrated much better knowledge and beliefs on antibiotics, however, students from both groups were found to have similar habits regarding the usage. The results are similar to available studies from the developing world. A large percentage of students tampers with antibiotics on their own. Campaigns are necessary to inform students better on the subject.

Proper usage of antibiotics is a rather important subject that is often overlooked in secondary education, which can provoke misconceptions among youth towards this important topic. The aim of the study was to examine the knowledge and habits regarding the usage of antibiotics in high school population. The research hypothesized that the students would have an acceptable level of basic knowledge on antibiotics and their usage, as students from all study programs are taught equally about antibiotics. The research also examined whether parents’ affiliation in healthcare influences their knowledge. The study has discovered that most of the students have an acceptable knowledge on the matter, with 59% being acquainted with the antibiotics’ mechanism of functioning. The largest part (78%) was able to distinguish Paracetamol from antibiotics. However, as much as 41% identified that they have taken antibiotics from different time than prescribed and 31% admitted to having used antibiotics to treat viruses. A majority have identified their doctor as their source for advice about treatment (67%). The research shows that students’ knowledge is generally constant among the groups, regardless of the study course or parents’ affiliation in healthcare. The only exception is that more students with parents’ working in healthcare have taken antibiotics for the time prescribed (p<0.05). Overall, students have demonstrated good theoretical knowledge with habits that should be improved. Students need to be better acquainted with guidelines of proper usage through informative campaigns and school projects.

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